The Washington critic., 1887-09-27
"THE SPICE OF LIFE"
How 1t Is Corrupted by Various Cheap
Adulterants.

Adulterants.
THE Critic ''drew It mild" when II pub
lished, nine days ago, an article pointing
out some OF the "Frauds in Food and
Drink" which had been exposed by
analyses made by tho Department of Agri-
culture. The official report Of the exami-
nations then discussed has just been is
sued by the Department, and that part Of
(which ia devoted to popular exposition
OF the origin Of the spices and the means
employed for their adulteratiou, affords
come mighty interesting reading.
For instance, 1t is there stated that san
examination Of the spices and condiments
found in the markets of Washington,
proved that the spices are from various
markets; that "the hrst-class grocers carry
the best English and rarely good American
brands;n that "adulteration, however, is
frequent, especially among the mustards,
peppers and cinnamon, the first having lost
Its oil and added flour, and the last having
cassia substituted for 1t.
Among the cheaper dealers adulterated
spices are nearly universal, the supply being
obtained largely from Baltimore and, to a
small extent, ground 10 Washington, both
places In which yellow corn and charcoal
are much used as aaulterants. A series of
samples collected impsrtially from all
classes Of shops proved to be largely adul-
terated.n
According to this official report, sat the
present time, In several Of our largest
cities, the price to be paid for spice is
named by the retail dealer, and he Is then
furnished from the spice mill with mix
ture containing the largest amount Of pure
material which can be supplied for the
money, the necessary weight being made up
Of dilutents of some cheap, but harmless
substance, different grades being distin-
guished by one firm as pure, extra, No. l
and superior, none of which are pure and
many OF which are mere variations in labels
with none in quality" As one Of several
striking examples Of this class of frauds,
the report cites the fact that New York
finn sin a short time used and put upon
the market In their spices more than 5000
pounds OF cocoanut Shells"
The report explains that under the head
"spices and condiments' are included sub
stances which, while not in themselves
foods, serve to render the latter more pala-
table, and to stimulate digestion. They
occupy an important position IN the diet OF
the human race, and are largely subject to
adulteration or capitalization. Among the
most common are: Peppers Of various
kinds, mustards, cloves, cinnamon, cassla,
allspice or iimento, nutmeg, mace and
ginger.
The anaiyst, MIR. Clifford Richardson,
sums up his report with these significant
stat ements;
The amount OF adulteration which has been
detected IL extremely large and OF nature
which apparently arouses but little preJuilce
on the part of the consume', being free from
associations of uncleanliness. Could only a
portion OF the unfortunate dislike for oleo'
margarine be directed toward the spices, the
result would be that much wasted energy
would be turned into profitable channel
The necessity for soms means for tho sup
preston of tho present universal soph'tl'
cation OF spices aud condiments seems urgent.